The use of VoIP is set to become the predominant industry standard for emergency voice communications with lifts in this decade. Already networks are VoIP driven with radio network backhauling, SIP trunked connections and applications like Skype, Microsoft Teams and many other using this now very proven IP-based form of digital communication. The advantage of VoIP over analog or even operator specific VoIP derivatives like VoLTE (Voice-over-LTE) is that end-to-end QoS protocols can be applied to lift call quality and associated media like DTMF signaling.

This paper will introduce the topic of VoIP for lift emergency communications, lift industry examples of utilization current or planned, and present a case study using the Cairo Monorail project currently being implemented as a example of such technology deployment and the benefits offered. Finally, there will be a brief discussion of the impact regarding EN81:28 in respect of VoIP utilisation and advice on how this topic can be supported at a national and European level with the ultimate goal of assisting industry stakeholders, particularly lift consultants specifying communication solutions and independent lift installers and maintainers who might be unaware of technological advances that can benefit themselves and their customers.